by Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills, who are announcing big changes in their front office today, are also working on which person will be manning the sidelines.

The early candidates are former Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt and current Cards defensive coordinator Ray Horton.

Bills brass will fly to Arizona this week to meet with Whisenhunt and Horton, according to two people informed of the scheduled interviews. Both people spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the Bills haven't confirmed the names of any candidates.

The coaching search comes as the Bills gave CEO Russ Brandon the title of team president Tuesday.

Brandon will basically take over the role previously held by 94-year-old owner Ralph Wilson, who handed him the reins of the franchise at a meeting Monday at Wilson's home in suburban Detroit.

"It was a rather emotional visit," Brandon said via the Bills' Twitter site. "He told me he was passing the torch to me to run the franchise in totality. He has granted me full authority to run the franchise with zero restrictions and zero limitations."

Brandon added, "My dad climbed telephone poles for 30 years. This is my dream job. The opportunity is incredible."

Buddy Nix will remain general manager, although reports from CBSSportsline.com and NFL.com indicated Nix will only remain in that role through April's NFL draft, then be replaced by pro personnel director Doug Whaley.

Whisenhunt is owed $5.5 million in salary from the Cardinals in 2013 after he was fired Monday after going 45-51 in six seasons that included the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance. Whisenhunt does not have "offset" language in his contract with Arizona, which means the Cardinals will be on the hook for the difference between what Whisenhunt makes from a new employer next season and the $5.5 million.

Translation: He could come cheaply for a small-market team, such as the Bills, looking to save some money.

Horton, meanwhile, is still in the mix to replace Whisenhunt with the Cardinals. Team president Michael Bidwill said Monday he will interview former Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid and current Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, as well.

Another name bubbling up in the Bills' chase is former Oakland Raiders head coach Hue Jackson. One of the two people informed of the Whisenhunt and Horton interviews said the Bills are also interested in Jackson, an assistant coach with the Cincinnati Bengals. Per NFL rules, Jackson cannot interview until next week because the Bengals are preparing for Saturday's wild card game against the Houston Texans.

Jackson could also be a candidate for the San Diego Chargers' job if Jimmy Raye III is promoted to general manager there. Jackson and Raye's father, Jimmy Raye II, are friends who worked together on the Washington Redskins' staff in 2001.